Woven fabric.



J. E. KERR.

WOVEN FABRIC.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1910.

1 ,OO0,016, Patented Aug. 8,1911.

JAMES E. KERR, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

WOVEN FABRIC.

rooaore.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1911.

Application filed July 21, 1910. Serial No. 572,976.

cation.

My invention relates to a reversible, figured, ribbed, woven fabrichaving ribs across the width of the same, of a more elastic andpermanent character than usual, and which may be produced in weavingwithout the use .of wires.

The character of my improved fabric will be better understood from thefollowing detailed description.

In the drawing, Figures 1, 2 and 3 are diagrams of longitudinal sectionsof my improved fabric, showing not only the regular structure thereofbut some of the arrangements needed in producing different surfacedesigns; Fig. 4, is a section and Fig. 5 a faceview of what I havehereafter termed the body fabric. These figures are diagrammatic in thatthey do not show the real ap pearance of an actual section, in which thethreads would be pressed closer together, and in some cases drawn moreor less to one side or the other, but they represent a looser and moreformal arrangement such as is necessary to make clear the real structureof the fabric.

It should at the beginning be clearly understood that the fundamentaland regular structure of my fabric is as illustrated in Fig. 1 from Z tom, (and also in portions of the other figures) while at g, h, 70, n and0 are shown irregularities which occur when the different threads changeplaces as required when forming a pattern on the face of the figuredfabric: Such irregularities are, as is well known to all weavers,inevitable in any kind of figured fabric; but, although they appear sofrequent in the drawing, in the actual fabric these irregularitiesoccur, it should be remembered, only at the points where the figureschange, that is around the edges of the figures. Over substantially allthe body of the fabric the structure is quite regular, and is best shownin Fig. 1 from Z to m.

In my improved fabric I use a stuifer weft indicated by A and B, whichin the illustration is supposed to be of two colors, light and dark; Eand D, also light and dark, represent a figuring warp; C, representsanother weft which I shall hereafter call the body weft, and f and frepresent another warp, which I shall call the body warp.

One characteristic peculiarity of my improved fabric will now beapparent, namely that the body warp and body weft in themselves form acomplete body fabric, of a plain weave, so that the rest of the yarn,(namely the stuffer weft A and B, and the figuring warp, D and E,) mightbe removed and still leave this body fabric intact, as shown in Figs. 4and 5, which represent a section and a face view of this body fabric asit would appear if the figuring warp and stuffer weft were pulled outand removed. In other words, there is in effect, a central body fabricof plain weave or mesh, which forms a foundation on which what might betermed the surfacing fabric is attached or supported quite in analogywith hand embroidery on a foundation fabric. I say in effect because, ofcourse, the entire fabric is one, being produced by the one operation ofweaving. It is however quite practicable to pull out the stuffer weft Aand B and the figuring warp D and E and leave this body fabric intact,and I have actually done so. The ribs of my improved fabric also presentwhat seems to me to be important char acteristics, difierentiating themfrom other ribs of the same class heretofore known: They are formed bythe loops a, Z), in the figuring warp as filled or distended by thestufier weft A and B. Beneath this stufi'er weft, there is always athread of the figuring warp D or E which supports it, and this figuringwarp is in turn supported by the central or body fabric, so that theseribs are of a very permanent and substantial character. It willfurthermore be seen that both ends of each loop, a, 2), after bendingaround the stuifer weft A or B, come close together and enter thecentral or body fabric s at the same point, and are drawn and heldalways close together or in contact, so that these loops or ribs withtheir stuffer wefts in the center, form what, for illustration, might betermed tubular bags on the face or back of the fabric.

It is understood that the above refers to the body of my fabric, for, asbefore eX- plained, small irregularities are inevitable at the edges offigures in all figured fabrics;

for instance at 9, Fig. 3, it will be noticed that the two ends of theloop, a, Z), do not enter the body fabric at exactly the same point;this irregularity would not be noticed in an actual piece of cloth forthis irregular loop would be surrounded by regular loops. It would bepossible, in this specific instance, by changing the cutting of thecards to make the ends of this loop enter the body fabric atthe samepoint, but other irregularities would be thereby introduced; there is,however, at 0, Fig. 1, an irregularity which could not be thus removed.

Fig. 1 shows the character of irregularity introduced when the figuringwarp changes; Fig. 2 when the weft changes, and Fig. 3 when they bothchange.

The ribs of my improved fabric are not only more permanent than any ofthe same class heretofore known, but they are also of a soft andresilient character and well adapted for use in a carpet; yielding tothe pressure of the foot and quickly recovering when the pressure isremoved. This is caused by their construction as described, well out onthe surface of the fabric, and also by the fact that the ribs on theface, when projected, come between the ribs on the back; in other words,the ribs are alternate. (By the face I mean either side, the back beingthe other.)

It is understood that the body fabric always maintains its position andintegrity in use; and in order to make this sure, it is important inweaving that the body warp, 7", f, should be woven with considerable tension, so that in the finished cloth the body fabric shall. remain asstraight as possible; for, on the last analysis, this is what reallyholds the whole fabric in shape, prevents the flattening down of theribs, and gives it its character and resiliency.

In carpets or similar fabrics it is sometimes desirable that the bodyyarn be made of heavy jute, that it be heavily sized and woven damp, inthe manner well known to weavers of Brussels carpets.

The body fabric may be woven with heddies, or the warp may be operatedfrom the jacquard, the latter method allowing more freedom in coloreffects available. The figuring warp will, of course be operated by thejacquard.

The appearance of my fabric may be greatly varied without departing fromthe spirit of this invention: As it may be used for floor coverings,curtains, upholstery covers or any purpose for which a figured ribbedfabric is suitable, the quality and weights of all the various yarns maybe varied, both absolutely and relatively, to suit the purpose for whichit is to be used: The quantity of the figuring warp appearing on thesurface may be varied from a full heavy warp entirely covering andconcealing the stuft'er weft to a few threads merely serving to bind thestuffer weft to the cloth; in the former case, of course, the stufferweft may be all of one neutral tint, and the body warp worked inheddles. All these various changes should however be well known toexperienced weavers.

I claim A ribbed, reversible woven fabric, having ribs formed of stutterweft inclosed in figuring warp, the figuring warp on both sides of eachthread of stutter weft passing between the same two threads of bodyweft; said body weft interwoven with a body warp, and a thread offiguring warp passing over said two threads of body weft and under saidthread of stufi'er weft, substantially as shown and described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JAMES E. KERR. Witnesses CLARENCE F. WELCI-I, JOHN DOLMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

